Colorado Rockies Carlos Gonzalez all set for 2011 MLB season
The Colorado Rockies are all about long term planning. Much to their appreciation, the players have also believed in that system. There have been a good number of contracts signed this offseason, and Carlos Gonzalez is one of the stars who has extended his stay at Coors Field. The Venezuelan native, nicknamed CarGo, is back from vacation and is ready to light up Major League Baseball (MLB) with some exciting hits this year.
The player has been on vacation for the past few months. He has however, returned from his long break and seems ready to start the 2011 season with a blistering innings in the field. CarGo recently signed a seven-year deal worth $80 million and he’s more than willing to make it count as the regular league season fast approaches.
Gonzalez has been flying over to Venezuela a lot due to commercial shootings. He also has his family there, who he wants to move to Miami someday. CarGo is a popular figure in Venezuela, where he’s compared to 1990’s star pitcher and compatriot Wilson Alvarez.
The South American powerhouse is coming off a season where his batting average peaked with a .336 ratio. He’s excited to be in Arizona for spring Training. The first full squad training is scheduled for Tuesday.
Gonzalez told reporters, "I was excited to come. It's a little bit irritating when everybody is around you. We need the space. We need to be here, concentrating on baseball. This is the most important thing for us. We want to get back to work. I feel at home. I feel like I'm in the family when I'm here with the players.”
He added, "I just need to have the same confidence that I had last year and forget about the past. Start working today. That's all I'm going to try to do, be the same guy and help my team to win."
The highlight of Gonzalez’s contributions last year was the fact that he punched up runs from various positions.
Manager Jim Tracy praised Gonzalez by saying, "This is not a self-centered individual. He's shown that a number of times last year. He's committed to winning. And he's committed to everyone."
Gonzalez started off as the leadoff hitter, after which he took over the number three spot that Todd Helton had occupied for so long.
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